Hartsville-Conway prep football preview

By: | SCNow
Published: October 17, 2008

From the way the season has shaped up so far,, this game has the potential to be a classic.

Conway comes into this game averaging 21 points per game on offense, and the defense is giving up 20 points per game.

The Tigers will try to pound the ball on the ground with running back Seth Moreland. If Moreland is successful, they will try to open up things in the passing game with quarterback Ryne Hardwick. In front of Moreland and Hardwick is an offensive line all hovering around the 6’3" mark and averaging over 255 pounds, but Hartsville head coach Jeff Calabrese said the Foxes look forward to a tough, physical game.

Conway operates much the same as Hartsville. They will try to establish the run to open the pass.

On defense, the Tigers will look to do something every team tries to do against Hartsville - stop the run. No one has been able to do that, however, as the Foxes are averaging 317 yards rushing per game. Wingback Dre Scott leads that charge with 783 yards rushing on the season on 106 carries and 10 touchdowns. Scott is averaging 7.4 yards per carry. That, and a steadily improving offensive line, has translated to the Foxes averaging nearly 38 points per game this season.

Although Calabrese said the Foxes are more committed to their running attack than is Conway, the connection between quarterback Shawn Smith and receiver Omar McDaniel gives the offense a powerful change of pace. McDaniel has four touchdowns this season on just 11 catches. He is averaging 24 yards per reception, and the Conway defense will have to respect him.
Hartsville's defense is giving up 21 points and 278 yards per game. They have given up yardage on short passing routes this season, which Conway may switch to if the power running game isn't working. The Hartsville defense will be led by linebacker Donovan Malloy and spark-plug cornerback Damien Dixon and has to get off of the field on third down to win this game.

This is an important game in this region. The team that comes away with a win here puts itself in a good position in region play.

Ultimately, this game will come down to defense. Both of these teams have prolific offenses that are similar, and the defense that can stay off of the field the longest or come up with a huge stop should win the game. But, both of these teams have the ability to score quickly, so the game will probably be memorable.

Calabrese summed the game up well. "Its going to be a street fight. . . . That's what Hartsville-Conway football has been all about."